Staten Island's new Myriad Games is devoted to tiles, tokens and top hats

Myriad Games, a tabletop shop that will open soon in Bulls Head, will sell scores of board games of all types, including Monopoly and Scrabble, as well as advanced strategy games, such as Pandemic and Mage Wars.Staten Island Advance/Mark Stein

BULLS HEAD -- The West Shore will soon be home to Staten Island’s first and only exclusively tabletop game shop.

Myriad Games, a non-electronic gaming store that will feature scores of board and card games, is set to open this weekend in the Coral Island Shopping Center in Bulls Head.

Be it common family games like Scrabble, Monopoly and Candy Land, or deep, strategic games requiring patience and a solid plan like Pandemic, Summoner Wars or Space Hulk, Myriad Games will serve as a hub for gamers looking to step away from their video consoles and computer.

“There has never been a purely tabletop gaming store on the Island,” said longtime borough resident and store manager Paul Gerardi, 54. “We’re going to be the full service place for card games, miniature gaming, role playing games and board games.” 

EXPERIENCED

Gerardi formerly worked for Z-Man Games for a dozen years and has been involved with game production for nearly two decades. Z-Man created the popular board games Pandemic and Agricola.

He’s been playing tabletop games since the late 1970s and early 1980s, beginning with Dungeons & Dragons, and has remained up-to-date with the genre.

“The thing I like about tabletop gaming is you’re thinking while you’re interacting with people instead of watching a movie,” he said, calling it a mental workout. “It was always something to keep my mind working.”

A benefit of playing board or card games is social interaction and human contact, which isn’t at the core of video games, said Gerardi.

Many new board games are geared toward an adult level of strategy, the store manager said.

“You have to figure out how to win while watching what your opponents are doing, and then counter them while you’re trying to figure out your own strategic way to victory,” Gerardi said.

Having worked with Zev Shlasinger at Z-Man for many years, Gerardi partnered with him, along with the head of Myriad Games, Dan Yarrington, to open a Staten Island shop. Two Myriad Games locations already exist in New Hampshire. 

WHERE TO LOOK

The store is tucked in the corner of the plaza facing Richmond Avenue. It will not only sell games, but enable folks to try them in a back room gaming section.

Gerardi anticipates weekly Dungeons & Dragons matchups and board game groups to gather in the rear of the store.

If you’re unfamiliar with board games, the room and suggestions from employees will help steer you to a good fit for your age and interests.

Games vary in price; some are perfect for young children, while others might be suitable for those 12 and older.

“You can’t have one of these game stores without a play area,” said Gerardi. “One of the best ways to sell a game is to be able to show people a game. It’s a sales tool and a nice way to build a community here, too.”

The website for Myriad Games, www.myriadgames.com, claims the company offers MVP Memberships for frequent customers. The program allows consumers to save a few bucks and get rewards over time while earning points by referring a friend, making a new MVP account, or posting a Tweet about the business.

The store at 1650 Richmond Ave. will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. For more information, call 347-97-GAMES, or email statenisland@myriadgames.com. 